advise
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advise
Jut put new motor in car, 510HP, 500LBS TRQ. car has 3.08 rearend gears, turbo 400 transmission, my only concern is tearing something up if i get on it although i think my rear gears keep me from standing on it from a dead stop. My question is should i beef up the rearend or go with a solid axle? Thank,s
Pro
Joined: Feb 2012
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You're looking to pick a fight aren't you.
I kind of agree but think the gearing has more to do with application. First off, with a higher stall converter, that torque makes his engine very efficient and he'll have no problem coming from a stop strong. Also if he's into high speeds or highway driving or cruising to car shows then those 3.08 gears will come in very handy. If he into the light to light action and weekend trips to the track then something more aggressive would certainly be in order. As far as the OP question, the rear end will be a weak link at those power levels but your TC and tire grip will have a lot to do with it. With street tires usually the traction breaks before hard components do.
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The 3:08 with a Turbo 400 will have plenty of low end grunt in first gear. You should be fine with that combo and that horsepower depending on how you drive. I have the Turbo 400 with a 3:08 in my stock 427/390 and it pulls like a mule in first gear. I think you have the best of both worlds. Your car will pull fine out of the hole and can be used on the highway as well. Mine is about 2600 RPM's at 70 mph.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: woodinville washington
Having stock 15" tires will prevent it from hooking up hard which does give some protection. Your right at the limits of the stock differential with the numbers you provided. You may wish to consider an upgrade to the differential.
You can upgrade to bigger half shafts and u-joints. I would also consider installing half shaft safety loops and drive shaft safety loops. If you break a u-joint, the half/drive shafts will be tearing up your car and possibly you as well. You can contact Tracdogg2 on the CF forum, he can build you the best differential for your requirements.
You can upgrade to bigger half shafts and u-joints. I would also consider installing half shaft safety loops and drive shaft safety loops. If you break a u-joint, the half/drive shafts will be tearing up your car and possibly you as well. You can contact Tracdogg2 on the CF forum, he can build you the best differential for your requirements.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Crossville TN
If you just want a powerful street machine, and don't really plan on drag/racing it all that much, get a beefed-up 700R4 or 200-4R overdrive tranny to marry with that engine and axle and you should be just fine. A change to a 3.55 axle would be ideal with that combination; a 3.36 rear gear would be an alternative that blends good highway manners and economy with good 'off-the-line' performance.
If you intend to drag race the car, a converter selected for 2500 rpm (matched to your engine and drive train choices) would optimize take-offs for a high-torque/low speed engine and not leave you sitting at the line just burning the tires off in 1st gear.
If an overdrive transmission is not in the cards, a TH-400 would work well with that engine and a 3.08 axle, if you do much highway driving. That combo would not provide for great off-the-line performance.
If you intend to drag race the car, a converter selected for 2500 rpm (matched to your engine and drive train choices) would optimize take-offs for a high-torque/low speed engine and not leave you sitting at the line just burning the tires off in 1st gear.
If an overdrive transmission is not in the cards, a TH-400 would work well with that engine and a 3.08 axle, if you do much highway driving. That combo would not provide for great off-the-line performance.
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The 3:08 with a Turbo 400 will have plenty of low end grunt in first gear. You should be fine with that combo and that horsepower depending on how you drive. I have the Turbo 400 with a 3:08 in my stock 427/390 and it pulls like a mule in first gear. I think you have the best of both worlds. Your car will pull fine out of the hole and can be used on the highway as well. Mine is about 2600 RPM's at 70 mph.
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Obviously if your plan is to go 1/4 mile at a time something like a 3:73 would do better. That rear end with a 3:08 will probably be OK unless you are doing hole shots all the time. There are plenty of guys with big blocks running 11's with 3:08's, obviously with more than stock horsepower. If you are going to do any highway trips the 3:08 rear is fantastic. I also have a 3:08 rear end in my 61 with a 383/450 horse stroker and a 4 speed. Makes plenty of low end torque. I have had no issues with that rear end and have done nothing to it. Of course I don't race either of them, but I like to jump on them
